Riccardo Calafiore: Arsenal complete £42m deal to sign Bologna defender Football News

Arsenal have signed defender Ricardo Calafiore from Bologna for £42m.

The 22-year-old, who can play at centre-back or left-back, has signed a five-year contract with the Gunners till 2029, additional strengthening a Gunners defensive unit that has conceded simply 29 targets within the league ball and saved 18 clear sheets.

sky sports activities information It’s understood that one other Premier League membership, in addition to Juventus and Actual Madrid, try to signal the Italy worldwide this month. There have been affords from different golf equipment previously two weeks, however Calafiore solely desires a transfer to Arsenal and a dedication that he’ll be a part of Mikel Arteta’s aspect.

Arsenal are understood to be impressed by his need to affix the membership – a need that was bolstered throughout conversations with supervisor Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu.

Calafio turns into second summer time signing after Arsenal Goalkeeper David Raya joined for £27 million.

Calafiore’s consultant, Alessandro Lucci from World Soccer, has been working with each golf equipment over the previous month to make sure the deal may be accomplished.

Bologna purchased Calafioli from Swiss membership Basel final summer time for €4m (£3.4m), with Basel receiving 50% of Bologna’s income from the deal.

Considered one of Europe’s best-rated defenders final season, Calafiore shone at Euro 2024 and regardless of Italy’s early exit in Germany, he suffered a suspended damage within the then-defending champions’ last-16 loss to Switzerland. Missed the sport.

“Nice character and character”

After signing Calafioli, Arsenal coach Arteta mentioned: “We welcome Ricardo and his household to Arsenal. He is a good signing and offers us nice power to strengthen our workforce. Protection.

“Ricardo is a person of nice character and character, with particular expertise that may make us even stronger in our quest to win essential trophies. His performances in current seasons in Bologna and Italy have proven He has made large progress, and his progress and growth in Italy have additionally made us stronger.

“We look ahead to working with Ricciardo, integrating him into the squad and supporting him within the coming years.”

What role will Calafiore play at Arsenal?

The query now could be the place Calafiore will slot in at Arsenal. Changing Arsenal’s first-choice centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, who’ve made 79 appearances between them over the previous two seasons, has confirmed troublesome.

Arsenal’s protection was additionally the worst within the Premier League final season, conceding solely 29 targets. Nevertheless, whereas Ben White, Gabriel and Saliba are the mainstays of the defence, the left-back place is an space topic to summer time surgical procedure.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu all did not fill the position persistently final season after beginning within the position final season. The character’s Jurrien Timber has simply returned from a critical knee damage.

So, is left-back Calafiore the best choice to say a spot at Arsenal immediately if the transfer occurs?

Arteta continues to strengthen defense

Arsenal set a Premier League membership scoring document final season with 91 targets. The Gunners solely conceded 29 targets, 5 fewer than Manchester Metropolis. No workforce has come near protecting 18 clear sheets.

Their excellent defensive efficiency was the end result of a fastidiously orchestrated technique from Mikel Arteta, who has constructed this Arsenal aspect from again to entrance. Strengthening their base has at all times been their precedence and that continues with their cope with Calafio.

Together with him, 18 of the 24 gamers launched to the Arsenal first workforce underneath Arteta are goalkeepers, defenders or defensive midfielders, with a complete value of 488 million kilos. That is greater than double what they spent on six attacking midfielders or forwards.

In a deal value as much as £42 million, Calafio will grow to be the sixth most costly signing since Arteta took over, guaranteeing that 5 of the primary seven gamers shall be defensive gamers, with the worth Headed by £105m Declan Rice, the one two attackers are Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Arteta admits that title wins are constructed on defence, and continues to construct his workforce accordingly.

Who else does Arsenal wish to signal this summer time?

as well as Calafioli, David Raya A everlasting transfer has been accomplished, however an offensive addition can’t be dominated out if Aidien Ketia and Emile Smith Rowe Maintain going as anticipated.

Arsenal pre-season schedule

• July 20: Arsenal 2-0 Leyton Orient
• July 25: Arsenal 1-1 Bournemouth
• July 28: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United
• August 1: Arsenal vs Liverpool – Lincoln Monetary Discipline, Philadelphia, kick-off 12.30am
• August 7: Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen, Emirates Stadium, kick-off 6pm
• August 11: Arsenal vs Lyon, Emirates Stadium, kick-off 2pm

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

this 2024 summer transfer window The Premier League will formally finish at 11pm UK time on August 30, and the Scottish League will formally finish at 11:30pm.

The Premier League has introduced ahead its deadline to hyperlink up with different main European leagues. The deadline was decided following discussions with leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.